RESERVATIONS

Leadership Lecture Series: Bennet Omalu

Physician, forensic pathologist and neuropathologist Bennet Omalu is credited with identifying chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a brain disease afflicting many former NFL players. The disease has changed the conversation about head trauma and football.

Omalu first diagnosed CTE after performing an autopsy on former Pittsburgh Steelers center Mike Webster. He is portrayed by Oscar-nominated actor Will Smith in the film Concussion.

Omalu’s presentation will take place at 7 p.m. on March 29 in the Burney Center and is co-sponsored by the Office of the Dean of Students, the Center for Healthy Communities Healthcare Transformation Lecture Series in the College of Health and Human Services, and the Association for Campus Entertainment.

The Leadership Lecture Series invites participants to engage in political, cultural diversity and economic discourse and stay informed about topics that affect the world around them. In addition to the lectures, class visits and other events are planned. Fostering diversity and inclusion and enhancing learning experiences are identified as priorities in UNCW’s Strategic Plan.

Tickets are free for UNCW faculty, staff and students and $10 for the general public. They are available through Sharky's Box Office and Game Room and may be picked up and/or purchased in the lobby the evening of the event.

Past speakers include Jerry Greenfield, half of the famous duo that created Ben & Jerry’s ice cream; veteran political strategist Donna Brazile and Piper Kerman, critically acclaimed author of memoir-turned-Netflix-series Orange is the New Black.